Hi,

Over the past year and a half I've been having increasing symptoms, and am about 2 weeks out of the woods from a 4 1/2 month flare with severe fatigue and joint pain, a mysterious recurring rash on my neck, photosensitivity, and malar rash (possible rosacea). I had bloodwork done in March and it came back with positive ANA (low titer, 1:80), elevated crp & hsesr, and positive band 23 (igm I think, wb). Saw rheumatologist and did more bloodwork, no additional antibodies for lupus or ra were found. Was sent on to derm for photosensitivity & malar rash/rosacea, and she's treating me for rosacea with finacea currently. I'm seeing that band 23 is specific to lyme and guessing my next step would be to go to a llmd, but I just need some support from people who have been there, that that's the right next step? It's a big out of pocket expense and I want to make sure I put my limited resources to good use. My rheum thinks I'm "in process" - something ai is brewing but not strong enough yet to treat or diagnose. So I'm in this diagnostic holding area. Given my symptoms & bloodwork, what would you do? Continue brewing or pursue with lyme doc?

Thanks.

Hi Moonflower,

I would also like to add a suggestion... that you do ALOT of research... so that you can get your own sense of what this is. And it will allow you to have an more educated discussion with the Doctor. I have only seen my regular MD at this point (can not yet afford LLMD) but there is no question in my mind what this is.

When i ran across a Master List for Lyme and began writing down symptoms...then realized that it would be easier to write down what i Did NOT have... and then reading "Beating Lyme Disease" helped immensely. There is a Symptom List related to the different strains that helps me to work on these areas.

I am only sharing what is working for me so far... it is very new still (got sick on my birthday 4/13/2015... got tick bite last fall) ... I am learning to listen to my body like never before... and my instincts as well.

I believe that we all have great instincts... but we are not always willing to listen to that internal nudge... but we are certainly able to do so. I must also say... don't get a book that someone else advises... get what feels right for you.

I will keep good thoughts for you on your journey.